Government Promotes Wood High-Rise Buildings

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The Agriculture Department is investing in training for builders, architects, and engineers to promote the construction of high-rise buildings made from wood components.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the White House Rural Council on March 18, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the U.S. Forest Service would kick in $1 million for the program in a partnership with WoodWorks, a non-profit that promotes the use of wood components in construction.

Vilsack said the department also would host a prize competition, possibly later this year, to “demonstrate the architectural and commercial viability of using sustainable wood products in high-rise contruction.” The department would invest $1 million in the competition, an amount that will be matched by another non-profit, the Binational Softwood Lumber Council.

Vilsack said building stronger markets for wood products would help sustainable forestry practices, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and promote rural jobs, according to a press statement. A three- to five-story building made from wood components has the same emissions impact as taking 550 cars off the road for one year, the department said, and wood designs also reduce energy consumption.

If you’re interested in seeing what courses WoodWorks has to offer, go to the website and click on the “Upcoming Events” tab at the top of the home page.